Pepperdine University alumna and communications expert Evelyn Aleman (MPP ’00) will discuss “The socioeconomic impact of K-12 education among Hispanic and African American communities in Los Angeles” at the School of Public PolicyDavenport Discussion roundtable seminar at Drescher Graduate Campus in Malibu on Tuesday, November 15, at 12 noon.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second largest school district in the country, with more than 734,000 students enrolled in 1,300 schools and centers. Although in recent years the district has made gains in student achievement, Latino and African American student graduation rates still lag behind. Additionally, graduates are often ill prepared for the rigors of higher education or careers.

This has a direct impact not only on the students’ economic future, but also on the region. Over the course of 10 years, Aleman has worked with nonprofit organizations that advocate for reforms in education policy to advance student graduation rates and academic achievement.

Aleman is founder and president of Media Image Public Relations, a communications agency that specializes in grassroots public relations with a public policy perspective. Her work has focused on issues pertaining to health, education, the environment, small business development, financial empowerment, asset building, and community development.

Aleman received her master of public policy degree with a specialization in economics and international relations from the School of Public Policy in 2000, and is the winner of the 2016 School of Public Policy Distinguished Alumni Award.